DCVC H1 HA mRNA vaccine

DCVC H1 HA mRNA vaccine is an investigational prophylactic mRNA-based vaccine developed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the Duke CIVICs Vaccine Center (DCVC). It is designed to prevent influenza A infection in humans by encoding the full-length hemagglutinin (HA) protein from the influenza A/California/07/2009 (H1N1) strain. The vaccine uses a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery system to encapsulate and deliver the antigen-encoding mRNA into host cells, where it is translated into antigenic protein, stimulating both humoral and cellular immune responses. The primary mechanism involves immunostimulation through presentation of viral antigens to immune cells, leading to antibody production against influenza virus. As of May 2025, it is being evaluated in Phase 1 clinical trials for safety and immunogenicity in healthy adults aged 18–49 years[1][2][3][7].